Spider Veins - Bath , Michigan

VeinsPlus is only minutes away from Bath , Michigan. VeinsPlus offers nonsurgical treatments for varicose and spider veins. Procedures such as endovenous laser ablation , radiofrequency ablation, and sclerotherapy are performed at our clinic and result in little to no downtime.

At VeinsPlus, you can always feel comfortable that you are receiving the latest in diagnostic and therapeutic treatment modalities available in the management of varicose vein disease.

Find out why over 200 referring physicians in the Greater Lansing Community trust Dr. Manuel Garcia and his staff at VeinsPlus with the venous care of their patients.

We are committed to offering the highest level of venous care that emphasizes patient safety and comfort. There is no longer any need to suffer in vein. If you have any questions or would like to schedule Comprehensive Venous Consultation, give us a call at 517-336-1200 or complete the Request Form to the right.

VEIN CONDITIONS

Spider Veins

These are very superficial small reddish and purplish veins that can be of significant cosmetic concern. Spider Veins can also be the source of localized itching, burning, and focal pain. Spider Veins on the legs are treated with a procedure called sclerotherapy, in which a chemical solution is injected into the abnormal veins which cause them to spasm shut and eventually get dissolved by the body. Spider Veins on the face may be associated with a condition called Rosacea. Facial spider veins are treated with a procedure called Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL). This is a laser-like procedure that causes the veins to spasm using thermal energy. The abnormal veins are then slowly absorbed by the body.

Varicose Veins

These are larger, more tortuous veins that can are usually an indication of more serious vein disease. The condition runs strong in the family. Varicose veins can also be aggrevated by pregnancvy, jobs requiring prolonged standing, and obesity.

Vein Ulcers

This is a complication of untreated, long-standing venous disease. Varicose veins lead to abnormal venous congestion below the knees resulting in a chronic inflamed state. This chronic inflammation can lead to skin fragility, break-down, and eventually ulcerations. Fortunately, with aggressive wound care management and treatment of the underlying venousdisease, many ulcers can successfully be treated.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR VARICOSE VEINS AND SPIDER VEINS INCLUDE:

Endovenous Laser Treatment

Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), also called Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) has become the standard approach to non-surgically treating abnormal saphenous veins. The most commonly treated saphenous vein is the great saphenous vein, however the small saphenous vein and accessory saphenous vein are frequently treated in the same fashion.

During the EVLT procedure, local anesthetic is used to anesthetize a small area of skin typically between the distal thigh to mid calf (overlying the great saphenous vein). A small catheter is inserted through the anesthetized region of the skin to allow insertion of a laser fiber (the size of a guitar string) into the vein and advanced upward to the groin. Additional anesthetic is administered around the great saphenous vein to protect the underlying muscle and overlying skin from the heat of the laser. The laser is turned on and then slowly retracted out of the saphenous vein causing the vein to collapse shut (similar to heat application to shrink tubing).

To reinforce the collapsed state of the great saphenous vein as well as to minimize bruising, the treated area is externally compressed either by wearing a compression hose or by externally wrapping the leg with compression bandaging.

Patients are encouraged to walk immediately upon completion of the procedure. In most cases, patients may return to work the next day. Typical restrictions after the procedure include: no high-impact exercising (ie jogging, aerobics), no weight training with the legs (i.e. squat exercises, leg curls), and no hot tubs or hot baths (regular showering is fine). After one week, patients can resume normal activities as tolerated. Followup at the doctors office is within the week.

Endovenous Radio Frequency Ablation (Procedure)

Endovenous Radio Frequency Ablation (ERFA), also called Radiofrequency ablation (RF) is very similar to EVLT. The basic premise of RF ablation is also thermal closure of the abnormal saphenous vein, however, the thermal energy being delivered is radiofrequency energy and not laser energy. ERFA is not better than EVLT, and likewise, EVLT is not better than ERFA. Some vein specialist were trained with one form of thermal vein closure and not the other, and become high skilled at that modality. Dr. Garcia at VeinsPlus is trained in both EVRA and EVLT and chooses the modality he feels would be best for the individual patient. The most commonly treated saphenous vein is the great saphenous vein, however the small saphenous vein and accessory saphenous vein are frequently treated in the same fashion.

During the ERFA (or RF) procedure, local anesthetic is used to anesthetize a small area of skin typically between the distal thigh to mid calf (overlying the great saphenous vein). A small catheter is inserted through the anesthetized region of the skin to allow insertion of a radiofrequency catheter into the vein and advanced upward to the groin. Additional anesthetic is administered around the great saphenous vein to protect the underlying muscle and overlying skin from the heat of the radiofrequency energy. The radiofrequency energy is turned on and then slowly retracted out of the saphenous vein causing the vein to collapse shut (similar to heat application to shrink tubing).

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (Echo-Sclerotherapy)

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (USGS), also called Echo-Sclerotherapy, is another method to treat abnormal veins. As it's name implies, this form of treatment uses an ultrasound machine to allow visualization of abnormal veins under the skin surface that are not visible by the human eye. Although the large saphenous veins can be treated using using USGS, this form of treated is mostly reserved to treat the large abnormal branches that arise off of the abnormal saphenous veins.

During USGS, an ultrasound scan is performed to clearly visualize the abnormal varicose veins. Under ultrasound guidance, a needle is advanced into the varicose vein and a chemical solution called a sclerosing agent is injected into the vein to cause the vein to collapse, similar to EVLT and ERFA. So, rather than thermally closing the abnormal veins, USGS chemically closes the veins.

To reinforce the collapsed state of the sclerosed varicose veins as well as to minimize bruising, the treated areas are externally compressed either by wearing a compression hose or by externally wrapping the leg with compression bandaging.

Patients are encouraged to walk immediately upon completion of the procedure. In most cases, patients may return to work the same day. Typical restrictions after the procedure include: no high-impact exercising (ie jogging, aerobics), no weight training with the legs (i.e. squat exercises, leg curls), and no hot tubs or hot baths (regular showering is fine). After one week, patients can resume normal activities as tolerated. Followup at the doctors office is typically within the 4 wks.

Transilluminated Sclerotherapy (TIS)

Transilluminated sclerotherapy is another method to treat abnormal veins. As it's name implies, this form of treatment uses a Halogen or L.E.D. light source to allow visualization of abnormal veins through the skin surface that are not clearly visible by the human eye. This form of treatment is mostly reserved to treat the large abnormal branches that arise off of the abnormal saphenous veins as well as large abnormal branches that are isolated (non-saphenous in origin).

During TIS, a device called a Vein Light is used to illuminate the area around abnormal veins. The veins are very dark in comparison to the surroundareas, and this allows more accurate injection of the sclerosing agent into the abnormal varicose veins. The treated varicose veins collapse, similar to EVLT and ERFA. So, rather than thermally closing the abnormal veins, TIS and USGS chemically closes the veins.

sclerotherapy for spider veins

Sclerotherapy is the most common method to treat unwanted spider veins. During sclerotherapy, the unwanted spider veins are visually injected with a chemical solution called a sclerosing agent at different areas until the medication is noted to have dispersed throughout most of the tiny abnormal veins. The sclerosing agent causes the tiny veins to collapse and seal shut.

Depending on the amount of spider veins that require treatment, patients may require 1 - 3 treatment visits. Most patients that undergo spider vein treatments tolerate the procedure very well.

Spider Vein treatments are usually considered to be a cosmetic procedure by most insurance companies, and therefore is not covered by most insurance policies. Once exception to this is spider veins that bleed easily either from light trauma or spontaneously.

intense pulsed light (IPL) - Light-Based Treatments

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a treatment that uses the instant conversion of light energy into heat energy to thermally treat small abnormal spider veins typically of the face and neck area. Typical patients that undergo IPL treatments are those with Rosacea who suffer from chronic facial blushing and redness due to tiny spider veins. Typical symptoms associated with Rosacea include facial burning, itching, and stinging. Many of these patients receive very good symptomatic relief with IPL treatments. However, if facial spider veins is due to chronic rosacea, period IPL treatments are typically required to maintain good symptomatic relief.

During an Intense Pulsed Light treatment, the patient is given protective eye shields to wear. A clear gel is applied over the areas to be treated which will allow the transfer of energy into skin with less chance of burning the skin. A hand-held IPL device is lightly held onto the skin with minimal pressure over the area. Light energy (with a specific light wavelength) is transmitted into the hand-held unit and into the abnormal tiny facial veins. The veins will convert the light energy into heat energy in a fraction of a second. This will cause the abnormal veins to collapse.

The treatment is followed by immediately cooling the skin area with ice packs. This is repeated several times a day for 1 to 2 days. Patients may immediately return to work. Restrictions include avoidance of purposeful tanning for 3-4 weeks.